Computer system having multi-direction blower
Patent 7450380 Issued on November 11, 2008. Estimated Expiration Date: 
October 25, 2026. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
October 25, 2026. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesFume exhauster CPU heat dissipating device Heat exchange apparatus and method for preparing the apparatus Composite heat dissipation fan Fan with integrated fan motor Cooler for an electronic device Blower apparatus for vehicle Cooling mechanism for an electronic device High-performance heat sink for printed circuit boards Cooling apparatus and electronic equipment Patent #: 7051791 InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 11552707 filed on 10/25/2006US Classes:361/695Fan or blowerExaminersPrimary: Thompson, Gregory D.International ClassH05K 7/20DescriptionBACKGROUNDDensification of computer systems is advancing at a rate that creates many challenges with controlling the temperature within dense computer systems A combination of high power components, which generate high levels of heat, and compact design,which limits cooling capacity, is pushing the limits of current air-cooled systems. Air-cooled systems often utilize an array of fans to move air from the environment, through a computer enclosure, and back to the environment. As the air passes throughthe enclosure it comes in thermal contact with, and absorbs heat from, the heat generating components within the enclosure. The heat transfer rate that can be achieved by an air-cooled system is a function of the volume of air that can be moved throughthe enclosure and the temperature of that air BRIEF SUMMARY The problems noted above are solved in large part by a computer system comprises a chassis and first and second electronic components disposed within the chassis. The computer system also comprises a multi-direction blower module having a blowerhousing connected to the chassis. The blower housing comprises an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, A centrifugal blower is rotatably mounted within the blower housing. An internal wall is disposed within the blower housing and partiallysurrounds the blower. The airflow into the inlet is passed in thermal communication with the first electronic component. The airflow from the first outlet is passed in thermal communication with the second electronic device. The airflow from thesecond outlet is exhausted from the chassis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which. FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a computer system constructed in accordance with embodiments of the invention; FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the computer system of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a blower module constructed in accordance with embodiments of the invention; FIG. 4 shows a partial sectional view of the blower module of FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 shows a partial sectional view of the blower module of FIG. 3. NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, computer companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does notintend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "including,but not limited to . . . ." Also, the term "couple" or "couples" is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirectelectrical connection via other devices and connections DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of the invention. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of thedisclosure, including the claims. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended tointimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment. Referring now to FIG. 1, computer system 10 comprises chassis 12, first electronic components 14, second electronic components 16, and blower modules 18. Electronic components 14 and 16 may comprise components such as motherboards, processors,memory, hard drives, interface and expansion cards, power supplies, and other electronic components used in computers. Electronic components 14 and 16 are disposed within chassis 12. Chassis 12 forms an enclosure that substantially surrounds andsupports electronic components 14 and 16. Blower modules 18 are also disposed within chassis 12, Blower modules 18 have inlets 20, first outlets 22, and second outlets 24. Each blower module 18 generates a pressure differential between inlet 20 and outlets 22 and 24 that creates airflow26 into inlet 20, airflow 28 out of first outlet 22, and airflow 30 out of second outlet 24. Blower modules 18 are arranged in a parallel configuration such that the inlet and outlets of each of the plurality of blower modules are aligned. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, two sets 32, 34 of five blower modules 18 are arranged in a parallel configuration. The two sets 32, 34 are disposed at opposite ends of chassis 12 such that airflow 28 out of first outlets 22from both sets of blower modules 18 is directed at second electronic component 16. Airflow 26 moves into inlets 20 of both sets 32, 34 of blower modules 18 and flows across first electronic components 14. Airflow 30 from second outlets 24 of both sets32, 34 of blower modules 18 is exhausted from chassis 12. An exemplary blower module 18 is shown in Figure 3 comprising blower housing 36 and centrifugal blower 38. Blower housing 36 comprises inlet 20, first outlet 22, and second outlet 24. Centrifugal blower 38 comprises hub 40 and a plurality ofblades 42 that push air outward from hub 40 as the blower is rotated about it central axis. As shown in the partial sectional view of FIG. 4, blower housing 36 further comprises internal wall 44 that is selectively curved. The shape of internal wall 44 is selected so as to direct airflow from blades 42 towards outlets 22 and 24, Theshape and configuration of internal wall 44 helps to determine the flow rate and pressure of airflow through outlets 22 and 24. In certain embodiments, internal wall 44 may be structured such that the airflow through the outlets is unbalanced in thatairflow through one of the outlets has a greater flow rate or pressure than airflow through the other outlet. In order to create an unbalanced airflow, internal wall 44 may be non-uniformly spaced from the ends of blades 42 so as to create a varying gapbetween the internal wall and the blades. Referring now to FIG. 5, a partial sectional view of blower module 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of inlet 20. Inlet 20 is defined by the interaction of outer surface 46 and inlet ring 48 of module housing 36 and blower inlet 50. Inletring 48 projects from outer surface 46 to form a circular ring that surrounds blower inlet 50. Blower inlet 50 is recessed within inlet ring 48 such that air passes into the inlet ring before entering blower inlet 50. In certain embodiments, the outer edge of inlet ring 48 extends past outer surface 46. By recessing outer surface 46, the total volume of blower housing 36, and therefore blower module 18, can be reduced. Reducing the total volume of blowermodule 18 may allow a greater number of modules to be installed into a given area or may allow greater spacing between adjacent modules. Increasing the space between adjacent modules provides more space for airflow into inlet 20, therefore decreasingthe velocity of airflow between adjacent modules and resulting in a more evenly airflow distribution. In other embodiments, a blower module may comprise a plurality of outlets that exhaust air in a plurality of directions. For example, a blower module may comprise two outlets that exhaust air from opposite sides of the blower's housing or maycomprise three outlets arranged at sixty degree intervals around the blower's housing. The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fullyappreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications. Field of SearchWith cooling means |
